By Jody Goodwin

Special to the Sun Journal

 It seems it was about two weeks ago that I said “Happy Spring.” No kidding, it really does feel that way. But for everything there is a season. The promise of spring and the sowing of green growing things have progressed through blossoms of many kinds and many bright sunny days. Now, it is time to reap that which was sown.

I think perhaps it might be easier here in the country to note the passing of each particular segment of a season as you watch the corn grow, the hay being cut and baled, the baby goats leave their moms and the apples form on the trees. That constant process of small changes can go unnoticed until one day the cornfield is harvested, the apples hang heavy and red upon the bending branches and the bright orange of pumpkin and squash seems to materialize everywhere.

Our supposed hurricane with lots of rain and little wind, at least here in Turner, was a blessing to the parched gardens and set them on a good course into winter. Remember to keep up your watering until the hard frosts begin.

Have heaps of herbs?

For those of you with herb gardens, I am guessing you have an overabundance right now.

I have receivesd several e-mails about various herbs, but especially basil. If you have lots and have kept it from blossoming and, therefore, getting bitter, there are only two things I know to do with it. Dry it by cutting the stalks and tie them into small bundles with a string around the stems. Hang the bundles in a cool, dry place and allow them to dry. Then remove the leaves, crush them and put them into a tin or bottle.

Or, take the fresh basil and make your favorite pesto. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays and allow them to freeze solid. Remove the cubes, put them in a plastic bag in your freezer and remove one or two to add to soups, stews, spaghetti sauce, etc. this winter. Basil leaves simply chopped do not freeze well.

As to parsley and rosemary, the same drying process works. You can also pot them up and bring them into the house for the winter. Both require fairly gritty soil to be happy in the house, as does basil if you want to pot it. If you want to pot them, do it now. Cut them back when you pot them and allow them to stay out during the day so they begin to regrow, but watch for cold temperatures. I have a rosemary plant that grows in a large frog that I have had for about five years. I don’t use rosemary in cooking anymore just as a winter smile-maker and for the wonderful fragrance when I crush a bit here and there. Cutting parsley back is an absolute necessity, because it will taste bitter if you don’t.

If any of you were smart, or lucky, enough to plant “Kent’s Beauty” ornamental oregano this summer, be sure to pot it up. I had one last summer and brought it in for the winter, and it was absolutely beautiful. I bought two more for outside this summer and they are also coming in. They are constantly in bloom, can take the dry heat of the house and go back outside in the spring. Since it is a cascading plant, you will want to plant it in a fairly tall container or a hanging basket. You might luck out and find one on sale at a nursery that you can keep inside for the winter and have for outside in the spring.

For those who planted dahlia bulbs this summer, it is important to let a frost turn the foliage black before digging the bulbs. I don’t really know why, perhaps it is like a lightning strike that stops a machine, but the bulbs dry and winter over much better if they are dug after the foliage is dead. Also, make sure to hold the bulb cluster upside down and puncture the stem that may remain. This allows any water that is trapped inside that stem to be released. A kitchen skewer does this job quite nicely.

Geraniums through the winter

For those of you who may want to winter your geraniums, it is time to begin that process.

I repot mine in new soil and cut them back quite drastically unless they have remained fairly green and compact. After potting, I allow them to remain outdoors for as long as possible but watch the night temperatures closely. Many plants, including geraniums, have a hard time being brought inside if it is done quickly. The same way you harden off plants in the spring before allowing them outside full time, you need to allow the plants to adjust to being back inside. When outdoor temperatures are basically the same as temperatures inside your house, the plants will transition best.

If you cut the geraniums back, you will have new foliage and flowers by Thanksgiving and bunches for the dark months of January and February, which is a real spirit booster. I cut them back again around the middle of March or first of April so they are healthy and blooming to go outside in May.

Geraniums do require good southern light and regular fertilizer in the house. I use Neptune’s Harvest and they bloom all winter. For those without the space or the light, you can cut them back, leave them in pots and put them in a dark, cool area for winter. They will rest. If you are digging them up from the ground, when you pot them up, let them continue growing and get their roots established for three to four weeks before cutting them back and putting them away.

For those of you who are on a bulb planting spree or want to go on one, remember those places in your landscape that would work for naturalizing. Naturalizing simply means you plant bulbs helter-skelter under deciduous trees or in side areas where mowing and manicuring are not required. As the bulbs grow and multiply, the number of flowers will do, too. But for this to happen, the foliage must be left to wilt and brown to store energy in the bulbs. Therefore, this is not a good idea for areas you want to look neat. It is, however, a great idea for spots under those trees that edge the lawn. Naturalizing works best under deciduous trees because the bulbs will get lots of sun in the spring before the leaves come out on the trees.

Bulbs that naturalize well include daffodils, snowdrops, allium (ornamental onion), grape hyacinths, crocuses and bluebells. You will also see specials in most bulb catalogs that are especially meant for naturalizing. These usually are large numbers of bulbs for very low prices, but may be mixed kinds, or mixed colors or mixed sizes. Read carefully, but most of the time, it is a pretty good deal if you are planting a large area.

Until next time, enjoy the bright azure skies of September as well as the warm days and cool nights, pick some apples and don’t forget to sample a warm apple cider donut. And take just a few minutes to sit and enjoy the antics of the hummers, because they will leave soon.

Happy gardening.

Jody Goodwin has been gardening for more than 25 years. She lives in Turner with her husband, Ike, her dog and two cats. She may be reached by writing to her in care of the Sun Journal, 104 Park St., Lewiston, Maine, 04243-4400 or by e-mail at [email protected].